Cable management

ABSTRACT

A cabling module is cable management system is configured for use within an IT component and includes an internal cable bundle configured for use within the IT component. An external cable termination module is configured to terminate a first end of the internal cable bundle. A cabling module is configured to terminate a second end of the internal cable bundle. A cable management arm is positioned between the external cable termination module and the cabling module and is configured to absorb any slack in the internal cable bundle.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to cable management systems/components and, moreparticularly, to cable management systems/components for use within ITdevices.

BACKGROUND

In today's IT infrastructure, high availability is of paramountimportance. Specifically, critical (and sometimes non-critical)components within an IT infrastructure are often layered in redundancy.For example, primary servers may be supported by backup servers; primaryswitches may be supported by backup switches; primary power supplies maybe supported by backup power supplies; and primary storage systems maybe supported by backup storage systems.

Oftentimes, various IT components that have different cablingrequirements may be mounted within these IT racks, thus necessitatingthe use of different cabling, which may be difficult to change and mayresult in complications during the initial assembly of these ITcomponents and/or the subsequent retrofit of the same.

SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

In one implementation, a cable management system is configured for usewithin an IT component and includes an internal cable bundle configuredfor use within the IT component. An external cable termination module isconfigured to terminate a first end of the internal cable bundle. Acabling module is configured to terminate a second end of the internalcable bundle. A cable management arm is positioned between the externalcable termination module and the cabling module and is configured toabsorb any slack in the internal cable bundle.

One or more of the following features may be included. The cablingmodule may include: an enclosure assembly configured to be receivedwithin the IT component; an input connector configured to receiveelectrical power from the internal cable bundle; and a plurality ofoutput connectors configured to provide electrical power to a pluralityof subcomponents of the IT component. The plurality of subcomponents ofthe IT component may include a plurality of power supply units. Theplurality of output connectors may include a plurality of electricalcords. Each of the plurality of electrical cords may include a plugconfigured to releasably engage one of the plurality of power supplyunits. The enclosure assembly may be configured to be permanentlyaffixed within the IT component. The enclosure assembly may beconfigured to be releasably affixed within the IT component. Theenclosure assembly may be configured to be releasably affixed within theIT component via one or more fasteners. The cabling module may beconfigured to be a field replaceable unit. The input connector may beconfigured to releasably engage a chassis connector within the ITcomponent. The chassis connector may be configured to releasably engagethe second end of the internal cable bundle. The external cabletermination module may include: one or more input connectors configuredto receive electrical power; and one or more output connectorsconfigured to provide electrical power to the internal cable bundle. Theelectrical power may be provided from a plurality of discrete powersources. The plurality of discrete power sources may be included withina power distribution unit. The external cable termination module may beconfigured to be releasably coupled to a power distribution unit.

In another implementation, a cable management system is configured foruse within an IT component, the cable management system including: aninternal cable bundle configured for use within the IT component; anexternal cable termination module is configured to terminate a first endof the internal cable bundle, wherein the external cable terminationmodule includes: one or more input connectors configured to receiveelectrical power, and one or more output connectors configured toprovide electrical power to the internal cable bundle. A cabling moduleis configured to terminate a second end of the internal cable bundle,wherein the cabling module includes: an enclosure assembly configured tobe received within the IT component, an input connector configured toreceive electrical power from the internal cable bundle, and a pluralityof output connectors configured to provide electrical power to aplurality of subcomponents of the IT component. A cable management armis positioned between the external cable termination module and thecabling module and is configured to absorb any slack in the internalcable bundle.

One or more of the following features may be included. The plurality ofsubcomponents of the IT component may include a plurality of powersupply units. The electrical power may be provided from a plurality ofdiscrete power sources.

In another implementation, a cable management system is configured foruse within an IT component, the cable management system including aninternal cable bundle configured for use within the IT component. Anexternal cable termination module is configured to terminate a first endof the internal cable bundle, wherein the external cable terminationmodule includes: one or more input connectors configured to receiveelectrical power from a plurality of discrete power sources, and one ormore output connectors configured to provide electrical power to theinternal cable bundle. A cabling module is configured to terminate asecond end of the internal cable bundle, wherein the cabling moduleincludes: an enclosure assembly configured to be received within the ITcomponent, an input connector configured to receive electrical powerfrom the internal cable bundle, and a plurality of output connectorsconfigured to provide electrical power to a plurality of power supplyunits. A cable management arm is positioned between the external cabletermination module and the cabling module and is configured to absorbany slack in the internal cable bundle.

One or more of the following features may be included. The plurality ofoutput connectors may include a plurality of electrical cords.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features andadvantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, andthe claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IT rack and an IT component;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a rack-mountable computing device foruse within the IT rack of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a front view of the rack-mountable computing device of FIG.2;

FIGS. 3-5 are diagrammatic views of a rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device according to an aspect of this disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a cabling module for use with therack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device of FIGS. 3-5 accordingto an aspect of this disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a cable management system for use withthe rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device of FIGS. 3-5according to an aspect of this disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of an external cable termination modulefor use with the rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device ofFIGS. 3-5 according to an aspect of this disclosure.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, IT racks (e.g., IT rack 10) may be utilized tostore and organize IT components. For example, IT rack 10 may be placedwithin a computer room and various IT components (e.g., IT component 12)may be attached to rails (e.g., NEMA rails 14, 16) included within ITrack 10, wherein these rails (e.g., NEMA rails 14, 16) may have astandard and defined spacing between them (e.g., 19″). Typically, ITcomponents that are configured to fit within IT rack 10 may be describedas rack-mountable IT components.

Examples of the various IT components (e.g., IT component 12) mountablewithin IT rack 10 may include but are not limited to: server systems,disk array systems, storage processor systems, storage processor/disksystems, and battery backup systems.

IT rack 10 may include frame 18 (which may include one or more verticalsupports, horizontal supports, and cross braces) to which NEMA rails 14,16 may be attached. NEMA rails 14, 16 may include a plurality of evenlyspaced holes that may be configured for mounting the various ITcomponents within IT rack 10. By standardizing the spacing between NEMArails 14, 16, the various IT components that fit within a first IT rackmay also fit within a second IT rack.

Typically, IT racks are defined in accordance with the number of rackunits (U's) included within the rack. For example, a 1U IT component ishalf as high as a 2U IT component, which is half as high as a 4U ITcomponent. Accordingly, while the number of rack units available withina particular IT rack may be rigidly defined by the size of the IT rack,the number of IT components mountable within that IT rack may varydepending upon the size (in rack units) of the particular IT componentsbeing mounted within that IT rack. Therefore, by reducing the number ofrack units that a particular IT component uses within an IT rack,additional IT computing devices may be mounted within the IT rack.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown one example of IT component 12,namely rack-mountable computing device 50. In this particularembodiment, rack-mountable computing device 50 may include a pluralityof individual components, examples of which may include but are notlimited to storage components, input/output components, and processingcomponents, any of which may be a field replaceable unit (FRU) that isserviceable in the field.

Storage components may be the portion of rack-mountable computing device50 that is configured to store data. Examples of such data may includebut are not limited to data that is generated remotely (e.g., byapplications that are executed on remote devices) or data that isgenerated locally (e.g., by applications that are executed onrack-mountable computing device 50). Accordingly, the storage componentmay be configured to include one or more storage devices, examples ofwhich may include but are not limited to one or more rotating-media diskdrives (e.g., SATA drives or SCSI drives) and/or one or more solid statestorage devices (e.g., flash drives). For example and as shown in FIG.2A, the storage component of rack-mountable computing device 50 may beconfigured to include (in this example) twelve 2.5 inch form factorstorage devices (e.g., storage devices 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66,68, 70, 72, 74).

The input/output components of rack-mountable computing device 50 may bethe portion of rack-mountable computing device 50 that is configured tocouple rack-mountable computing device 50 to a network infrastructure(e.g., network infrastructure 76), wherein network infrastructure 76 maybe configured to couple rack-mountable computing device 50 to otherrack-mountable computing devices, other IT components (e.g., serversystems, disk array systems, storage processor systems, storageprocessor/disk systems, and battery backup systems), other networkingdevices (e.g., switches, routers, bridges, wireless access points),and/or end user computing devices (e.g., desktop computers, laptopcomputers, notebook computers, smartphones, tablet computers, etc.).Examples of network infrastructure 76 may include but are not limited toan Ethernet infrastructure; a fiber channel infrastructure; and aninfiniband infrastructure.

The processing components of rack-mountable computing device 50 may bethe portion of rack-mountable computing device 50 that is configured toprocess data, such as data that is generated remotely (e.g., byapplications that are executed on remote devices) or data that isgenerated locally (e.g., by applications that are executed onrack-mountable computing device 50). Accordingly, the processingcomponents of rack-mountable computing device 50 may be configured toinclude one or more microprocessors.

Referring also to FIG. 3, there is shown another example of IT component12, namely rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100. As isknown in the art, hyper-convergence is a type of infrastructure systemwith a software-centric architecture that tightly integrates compute,storage, networking and virtualization resources and other technologiesfrom scratch in a commodity hardware box supported by a single vendor. Ahyper-converged system allows the integrated technologies to be managedas a single system through a common toolset. Hyper-converged systems maybe expanded through the addition of nodes to the base unit.

Referring also to FIG. 4, rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100 may be quite large and quite densely packed. Additionally,the enclosure of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100may be configured in a drawer fashion, wherein rack-mountable,hyper-converged computing device 100 includes a fixed portion (e.g.,fixed portion 102) that may be rigidly affixed to IT rack 10 and aslidable portion (e.g., slidable portion 104) that may be configured toslide forwards (like a drawer) out of the front of IT rack 10 and awayfrom fixed portion 102.

Additionally, slidable portion 104 of rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100 may be configured so that the sub-components (e.g.,storage devices, compute modules, memory modules) included withinrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 may all beaccessible and serviceable through the exposed top of slidable portion104 once slidable portion 104 is slid forward and is clear of fixedportion 102 (as there will typically be another IT device mounteddirectly on top of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device100).

Power supply units 106 within rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100 may be coupled to slidable portion 104 of rack-mountable,hyper-converged computing device 100 and may, therefore, move withslidable portion 104 of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device100. Accordingly, when rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device100 is in the extended/open position (as shown in FIG. 4), power supplyunits 106 may move forward and away from rear face 108 ofrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100. Conversely andwhen slidable portion 104 of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100 is pushed rearward into the closed position, power supplyunits 106 may move rearward (in the direction of arrow 110) andsubsequently be positioned within opening 112 in rear face 108 ofrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100.

An upper portion (e.g., upper portion 114) of rear face 108 ofrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 may be the area towhich electrical power and data cables are attached. For example, datacables and power cables may be attached to various connectors on upperportion 114 of rear face 108 and interior cables carrying these signalsmay be routed within rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device100 in a manner that allows for this cabling to be coupled to and movewith slidable portion 104 of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100.

Referring also to FIG. 5, there is shown a detail view of rear face 108of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 in the closedposition. Accordingly, power supply units 106 are shown positionedwithin opening 112 of rear face 108. Additionally and in this particularexample, power supply units 106 are shown to include four discrete powersupply units 150, 152, 154, 156 that are provided electrical power bycabling module 158 (to be explained below in greater detail).

As stated above, upper portion 114 of rear face 108 (which is affixed tofixed portion 102 of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device100) may be configured so that electrical power and data cables may beattached to various connectors included therein/thereon. Accordingly andin this particular configuration, upper portion 114 of rear face 108 isshown to include plurality of host bus adapters 160 (for coupling datacables to rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100).Internal data cables coupled to plurality of host bus adapters 160 maybe routed within rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100and received by slidable portion 104 of rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100 (which, as discussed above, may contain e.g.,storage devices, computer modules, memory modules).

Upper portion 114 of rear face 108 is also shown to include externalcable termination module 162 that (in this example) is configured toreceive a plurality of discrete power sources. For example, asrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 is shown to includefour discrete power supply units 150, 152, 154, 156, external cabletermination module 162 may be configured to receive four discrete powersources (e.g., discrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170), whereindiscrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170 may be releasably coupled toexternal cable termination module 162 and may be provided by one or morepower distribution units (not shown). As is known in the art, a powerdistribution unit (or a main distribution unit) is a device fitted withmultiple outputs that is designed to distribute electric power to e.g.,racks of computers and networking equipment within a data center.

Accordingly, discrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170 that are receivedby external cable termination module 162 may be routed withinrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 and received bycabling module 158, wherein cabling module 158 may be configured toprovide discrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170 to discrete powersupply units 150, 152, 154, 156 (respectively).

Referring also to FIGS. 6-7, cabling module 158 may be configured foruse within an IT component (e.g., rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100). Cabling module 158 may include enclosure assembly200 configured to be received within rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100. For example, rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100 may include a socket (not shown) into whichenclosure 200 of cabling module 158 may be received.

Cabling module 158 may include an input connector 202 configured toreceive electrical power (e.g., discrete power sources 164, 166, 168,170) from within rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100.Cabling module 158 may include plurality of output connectors (e.g.,output connectors 204, 206, 208, 210) configured to provide electricalpower (e.g., discrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170) to a pluralityof subcomponents (e.g., discrete power supply units 150, 152, 154, 156)of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100. While in thisparticular example, output connectors 204, 206, 208, 210 are shown toprovide discrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170 (respectively) todiscrete power supply units 150, 152, 154, 156 (respectively), this isfor illustrative purposes only and in not intended to be a limitation ofthis disclosure, as other configurations are possible and are consideredto be within the scope of this disclosure. Plurality of outputconnectors 204, 206, 208, 210 may include a plurality of electricalcords, wherein each of the plurality of electrical cords may include aplug (e.g., plug 212) configured to releasably engage one of pluralityof power supply units (e.g., power supply unit 150).

Enclosure assembly 200 may be configured to be permanently affixedwithin rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 orreleasably affixed within rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100. For example and if permanently affixed, enclosure assembly200 may be crimped to/spot-welded to rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100. Alternatively and if releasably affixed, enclosureassembly 200 may be releasably affixed to rack-mountable,hyper-converged computing device 100 via one or more fasteners (e.g.,that are received by threaded holes 214, 216, 218). In such aconfiguration, cabling module 158 may be configured to be a fieldreplaceable unit.

Input connector 202 may be configured to releasably engage chassisconnector 220 within rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device100. For example, chassis connector 220 may be rigidly affixed withinrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 so that whencabling module 158 is slid into rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100, chassis connector 220 may releasably engage inputconnector 202.

Through the use of cabling module 158, rack-mountable, hyper-convergedcomputing device 100 may be quickly and easily reconfigured based uponpower needs/requirements. For example and depending upon the needs ofrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100, discrete powersupply units 150, 152, 154, 156 may have either IEC C13 connectors(which are rated for 120/240 VAC @ 15 amps) or IEC C19 connectors (whichare rated for 120/240 VAC @ 20 amps). As each of these connectors has adifferent pin configuration, in the event that you need to upgrade yourpower supply units from IEC C13 to IEC C19, cabling module 158 (with IECC13 connectors) may be simply removed and replaced with another cablingmodule 158 (with IEC C19 connectors).

As discussed above, data cables and power cables may be attached tovarious connectors on upper portion 114 of rear face 112 and theinterior cables carrying these signals may be routed withinrack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 in a manner thatallows for this cabling to be coupled to and move with slidable portion104 of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100.

Accordingly, rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 mayinclude cable management arm 250 that may be configured to take up anyslack in internal cable bundle 252 within rack-mountable,hyper-converged computing device 100 when in the closed position.Accordingly, the combination of cabling module 158, external cabletermination module 162, cable management arm 250 and internal cablebundle 252 may form a cable management system that is configured toroute electrical power through rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100 and absorb any slack in internal cable bundle 252.

One example of such a cable management arm 250 is a spring loaded systemthat is normally in a closed position (as shown in FIG. 7). However, oneor more bracket assemblies (e.g., bracket assembly 254) of cablemanagement arm 250 may be mounted to one or more of fixed portion 102and slidable portion 104 of rack-mountable, hyper-converged computingdevice 100. Further, cable management arm 250 may include a plurality ofspring-loaded hinge assemblies (e.g., hinge assemblies 256, 258) thatmay be configured to allow for cable management arm 250 to be fullyextended when rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100 is inthe open position. Rack-mountable, hyper-converged computing device 100may further include filter system 260 that is configured tofilter/condition discrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170.

Referring also to FIG. 8, external cable termination module 162 mayinclude one or more input connectors (e.g., input connectors 300, 302,304, 306 configured to receive electrical power. As discussed above,external cable termination module 162 may be configured to be coupled todiscrete power sources 164, 166, 168, 170, wherein discrete powersources 164, 166, 168, 170 may be coupled to input connectors 300, 302,304, 306. External cable termination module 162 may further include oneor more output connectors (e.g., output connectors 308, 310, 312, 314)configured to provide the electrical power to internal cable bundle 252(via filter system 260).

General:

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

A number of implementations have been described. Having thus describedthe disclosure of the present application in detail and by reference toembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of thedisclosure defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable management system configured for usewithin an IT component, the cable management system comprising: aninternal cable bundle configured for use within the IT component; anexternal cable termination module configured to terminate a first end ofthe internal cable bundle; a cabling module configured to terminate asecond end of the internal cable bundle; and a cable management armpositioned between the external cable termination module and the cablingmodule and configured to absorb any slack in the internal cable bundle,wherein the cable management arm includes a plurality of spring-loadedhinge assemblies configured to allow the cable management arm to beextended.
 2. The cable management system of claim 1 wherein the cablingmodule includes: an enclosure assembly configured to be received withinthe IT component; an input connector configured to receive electricalpower from the internal cable bundle; and a plurality of outputconnectors configured to provide electrical power to a plurality ofsubcomponents of the IT component.
 3. The cable management system ofclaim 2 wherein the plurality of subcomponents of the IT componentincludes a plurality of power supply units.
 4. The cable managementsystem of claim 3 wherein the plurality of output connectors includes aplurality of electrical cords.
 5. The cable management system of claim 4wherein each of the plurality of electrical cords includes a plugconfigured to releasably engage one of the plurality of power supplyunits.
 6. The cable management system of claim 2 wherein the enclosureassembly is configured to be permanently affixed within the ITcomponent.
 7. The cable management system of claim 2 wherein theenclosure assembly is configured to be releasably affixed within the ITcomponent.
 8. The cable management system of claim 7 wherein theenclosure assembly is configured to be releasably affixed within the ITcomponent via one or more fasteners.
 9. The cabling module of claim 7wherein the cabling module is configured to be a field replaceable unit.10. The cable management system of claim 2 wherein the input connectoris configured to releasably engage a chassis connector within the ITcomponent.
 11. The cable management system of claim 10 wherein thechassis connector is configured to releasably engage the second end ofthe internal cable bundle.
 12. The cable management system of claim 1wherein the external cable termination module includes: one or moreinput connectors configured to receive electrical power; and one or moreoutput connectors configured to provide electrical power to the internalcable bundle.
 13. The cable management system of claim 12 wherein theelectrical power is provided from a plurality of discrete power sources.14. The cable management system of claim 13 wherein the plurality ofdiscrete power sources are included within a power distribution unit.15. The cable management system of claim 12 wherein the external cabletermination module is configured to be releasably coupled to a powerdistribution unit.
 16. A cable management system configured for usewithin an IT component, the cable management system comprising: aninternal cable bundle configured for use within the IT component; anexternal cable termination module configured to terminate a first end ofthe internal cable bundle, wherein the external cable termination moduleincludes: one or more input connectors configured to receive electricalpower, and one or more output connectors configured to provideelectrical power to the internal cable bundle; a cabling moduleconfigured to terminate a second end of the internal cable bundle,wherein the cabling module includes: an enclosure assembly configured tobe received within the IT component, an input connector configured toreceive electrical power from the internal cable bundle, and a pluralityof output connectors configured to provide electrical power to aplurality of subcomponents of the IT component; and a cable managementarm positioned between the external cable termination module and thecabling module and configured to absorb any slack in the internal cablebundle, wherein the cable management arm includes a plurality ofspring-loaded hinge assemblies configured to allow the cable managementarm to be extended.
 17. The cable management system of claim 16 whereinthe plurality of subcomponents of the IT component includes a pluralityof power supply units.
 18. The cable management system of claim 16wherein the electrical power is provided from a plurality of discretepower sources.
 19. A cable management system configured for use withinan IT component, the cable management system comprising: an internalcable bundle configured for use within the IT component; an externalcable termination module configured to terminate a first end of theinternal cable bundle, wherein the external cable termination moduleincludes: one or more input connectors configured to receive electricalpower from a plurality of discrete power sources, and one or more outputconnectors configured to provide electrical power to the internal cablebundle; a cabling module configured to terminate a second end of theinternal cable bundle, wherein the cabling module includes: an enclosureassembly configured to be received within the IT component, an inputconnector configured to receive electrical power from the internal cablebundle, and a plurality of output connectors configured to provideelectrical power to a plurality of power supply units; and a cablemanagement arm positioned between the external cable termination moduleand the cabling module and configured to absorb any slack in theinternal cable bundle, wherein the cable management arm includes aplurality of spring-loaded hinge assemblies configured to allow thecable management arm to be extended.
 20. The cable management system ofclaim 19 wherein the plurality of output connectors includes a pluralityof electrical cords.